Champagne Cupcakes

"from gimme some oven blog."

Ingredients

For the cupcakes  - makes 20

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup champagne ( the sweeter the better â even strawberry would be great!!)
• 6 egg whites

For the frosting

• 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons champagne, at room temperature

Directions

1. To Make The Cupcakes:.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with champagne.
4. In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
6. To Make The Frosting:.
7. With an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter. Mix on low until well blended, and then on medium for another two minutes. Add vanilla and champagne, beating on medium for another minute.